Patrick Kane Heads Back to Chicago: Blackhawks Land Former Sabres Star
The Buffalo Sabres were reportedly one of the final two teams being considered by free agent winger Patrick Kane, but in the end, he chose a return to the Chicago Blackhawks.
Kane is originally from Buffalo, so there was hoped to be some pull there, but apparently the NHL familiarity of the Blackhawks won out. The Sabres are left as the runner-up with no prize to show for it.
The Sabres were probably looking to sign Kane for both his local roots and his Hall of Fame credentials. However, the reality is that the Sabres are mostly set on their forward lines, with the key to what they still could accomplish being ensuring that they don't need to use a young skater as the extra forward on the NHL roster who gets scratched most nights.
Signing a veteran skater would allow someone to stay in the AHL for a bit more seasoning, at least in the early stages of the season while everyone is healthy. This would help the Sabres avoid the problem of a young player getting scratched most nights.
The Sabres have a good roster, but they probably will continue to pursue improvements, because after making the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, the last thing they'll want to run into is a letdown. They could still seek out one more veteran forward to complete their lineup.
Buffalo still will probably seek out one more veteran forward to bolster their roster. This would allow the team to avoid relying on young players who may not be ready for the NHL just yet.
The Sabres will likely proceed with caution, considering their current roster and the potential risks of signing another player. They will weigh the pros and cons of adding another veteran forward before making a decision.
The NHL offseason is still in full swing, and the Sabres are not the only team looking to make moves. With Kane now back in Chicago, the Sabres will have to regroup and reassess their options for the upcoming season.
Source: Yahoo Sports
